Grain-drill



(No Model.)

G. W. KIRKPATRICK. GRAIN DRILL.

No. 428,002. Patented May 18, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE IV. KIRKPATRICK, OF MACEDON, NEWV YORK.

GRAIN-DRILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 428,002, dated May 13,1890.

Application filed Tabular; 25, 1890. Serial No. 341,725. (No model.)

aZZ whmn it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, GEORGE \V. KIRKPAT- RICK, of Macedon, in the countyof ayne and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements inGrain-Drills, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference tov grain drills and seeders, in which aseries of drag-bars are used to carry the hoes, and the object is toprovide a simple and easily-operated mechanism for depressing, raising,and holding the drag-bars; and to this end it consists in thecombination, with the drag-bars and the devices immediately controllingthem, of a wornrwheel, worm, and hand-crank, as hereinafter explained.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinalvertical section through a grain-drill containing my improvement. Fig. 2is a plan view of the leading parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the main frame; I), the mainaxle; C C, the ground-wheels mounted on the ends of the ax e; D, one ofthe series of hoes carried by the drag-bar E, jointed at its forward endto the frame to admit of the hoe rising and falling; F, the seed box orhopper, and G the feeder boots or conductors.

H is a rock-shaft mounted in bearings I and extended across the machinefrom side to side, and carrying above each drag-bar an arm J, connectedto the drag-bar by a link L, so that as the shaft is turned to and froit will raise and lower the entire series of hoes.

The foregoing parts are of ordinary construction, and being familiar tothose skilled in the art they require no further explanation.

M represents a segmental worm wheel, keyed firmly to the rock-shaft Hand engaging a worm N on the end of a shaft 0, which is extended upwardin rear of the hopper and provided with a hand-crank P, in position tobe conveniently operated by the attendant whether riding upon or walkingbehind the machine. This shaft is sustained at its lower end in a box orhearing Q, the rear end of which encircles the axle, while the forwardend is seated on or bolted to the frame. At

the upper end the wormshaft is sustained by an arm R attached to thehopper. By turning the hand-crank the worm is caused to turn the wheel Mand the rock-shaft, and thus raise or lower the hoes as required. \Vhenthe parts are at rest, the worm holds them firmly in the positions towhich they are adjusted.

I commonly interpose between the rockshaft and drag-bars a spring insuitable manner to admit of a yielding pressure being applied to forcethe hoes, and also to admit of their rising and falling independently toa limited extent. This is accomplished, as shown in the drawings, byconstructing each arm J of two overlapping parts urged together by thespring it which embraces them, but which permits the distal end of thearm to rise and fall independently of the remaining portion when sufficient strain is applied. This springarm is not claimed as of myinvention, being already known in the art. Instead of the yielding arm acompressible link may be used between the arm and drag-bar, as practicedin existing machines.

The worm and its wheel are veryadvantageous in my combination, in thatthey admit of the hoes being strongly depressed or raised in series withgreat ease and in a positive manner, and also in that they admit of thedepth being changed and of the pressure being varied gradually and byimperceptible degrees from one extreme to the other, whereas the leversand notched locking-plates usually employed afford only a limited numberof adjustments step by step.

The bearing of the worm and the position of the worm-shaft may bevaried, provided the 'mode of action remains unchanged.

, Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The mainframe, the drag-bars and their hoes, the rock-shaft and its arms, andlinks connecting the arms with the drag-bars, in combi nation with theworm-wheel on the rockshaft, the worm, and the worm-shaft provided witha hand-crank.

2. In a grain-drill, the drag-bars, the rock shaft, andspring-connections between the shaft and the individual bars, in eolnbination In testimonywhereofI hereunto set my hand 10 with the worm-Wheelon the rook-shaft, the Ihis 22d day of February, 1890,1'11 the pres-Worm, and shaft to operate the worm. once of two attesting witnesses.

3. In a grain-drill, a main frame, drag'hars, 5 and axle, in combinationwith the rooleshaft, GEORGE \V. KIRKPATRICK.

its arms connected with the drag-bars, the

worn1-w11ee1 on the rock-shaft, the worm, it's "itnessos:

shaft, and the bearing for said shaft mounted W. I". 'JHISTLETHWAITE, atone end on the axle. W. L. ACKER.

